HOWARD TERPNINGLeader
of Men

This is a Crow Indian of the pre-Reservation period,
about 1850 to I860. I wanted to try to show the
strength of character in the man, with a lot of focus on
his eyes. Actually chiefs gained prestige within their
band or tribe if they did not flaunt wealth. They
would be more inclined to give things away and be
more austere in appearance than their comrades.
This was a sign of leadership.

Here he has a bow case, which is quite a good one. It's made out of mountain lion skin, and has bead work on it. I wanted to create a strong pattern with
the shape of the bow case coming up diagonally,
leading up to the face and the old Crow war bonnet
with the eagle feathers, then back down the right
side. I wanted a strong, simple portrait of a man.
-Howard Terpning